15 Things Boomers Grew Up Eating That Would Shock Gen Z

The culinary landscape has drastically transformed over the decades. What was once commonplace on dinner tables in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s can seem utterly foreign to today’s Gen Z palate.

As a food writer who has witnessed these shifts firsthand, I’m taking a nostalgic highlight into the dishes that defined a generation, exploring the 15 foods that would likely elicit a raised eyebrow or a puzzled expression from today’s youth.

1. Jell-O Molds (with… everything)

Jell-O wasn’t just a dessert in the Boomer era; it was a culinary medium. Imagine shimmering, wobbly creations molded into elaborate shapes, often suspending fruits, vegetables (carrots and celery, anyone?), or even meat in a sweet, gelatinous embrace.

These weren’t your average fruit cups; we’re talking savory Jell-O salads and molded main courses.

The textural contrast and unexpected flavor combinations would likely send today’s texture-conscious generation reeling.

2. Canned “Everything”

Before the explosion of fresh produce availability year-round, canned goods reigned supreme. Canned fruits, vegetables, soups, and even meats were pantry staples.

While canning is experiencing a resurgence, the sheer reliance on it in the Boomer era, particularly for dishes like creamed chipped beef on toast (affectionately known as “SOS”), would be a surprise.

The often-mushy texture and sometimes metallic taste of certain canned goods are a far cry from the fresh, vibrant produce Gen Z is accustomed to.

Sign up now for Pure Plates Newsletter! Once a week: pure vegan & vegetarian recipes, zero spam.🥗

3. TV Dinners

The epitome of convenience food in the mid-20th century, TV dinners were a marvel of modern technology. A compartmentalized aluminum tray containing a complete meal – typically meat, potatoes, and a vegetable – heated directly in the oven.

While frozen meals still exist, the specific format and the heavy reliance on processed ingredients in the original TV dinners would be a shock to a generation increasingly focused on fresh, whole foods.

Try This Recipe: Vegan Crockpot Minestrone Soup

4. Spam

This canned cooked pork product was a wartime staple that remained popular well into the Boomer era. From Spam musubi to Spam and eggs, this salty, processed meat found its way into countless dishes.

While Spam has seen a recent ironic resurgence, its ubiquitous presence in Boomer cuisine, often as a primary protein source, would likely be met with skepticism by Gen Z.

Try This Recipe: The Famous TikTok Egg Boil Recipe Made Easy

5. Tongue Sandwiches

Another offal offering, tongue sandwiches, featuring thinly sliced beef tongue, were a deli staple.

While nose-to-tail eating is gaining traction in some culinary circles, the idea of a tongue sandwich would likely be a hard sell for many Gen Z individuals, who are often less accustomed to these less conventional cuts of meat.

Try This Recipe: Vegan “Chicken” Salad Sandwiches

6. Liver and Onions

Organ meats were a common part of the Boomer diet, with liver and onions being a particularly polarizing dish. Slices of beef liver, sautéed with onions, were a source of iron and other nutrients.

However, the strong, metallic taste and somewhat chewy texture are decidedly out of favor with modern palates. It’s safe to say this dish wouldn’t be trending on TikTok anytime soon.

Try This Recipe: Viral TikTok One Pot French Onion Pasta

7. Head Cheese

Despite its name, head cheese isn’t actually cheese. It’s a terrine made from the head of a pig or calf, containing various parts like the tongue, snout, and ears, set in gelatin.

This dish, with its unique texture and combination of flavors, is a far cry from the charcuterie boards of today and would likely be considered quite adventurous by Gen Z standards.

Sign up now for Pure Plates Newsletter! Once a week: pure vegan & vegetarian recipes, zero spam.🥗

8. Fruitcake (the dense, boozy kind)

Not the light, airy fruitcakes of today, but the dense, intensely boozy versions packed with candied fruits and nuts, often soaked in brandy or rum for months.

These fruitcakes were a holiday tradition, often possessing a texture akin to a brick and a flavor profile that could be described as aggressively festive. This intensely flavored and textured treat is a far cry from the more delicate desserts Gen Z typically enjoys.

Try This Recipe: Easy Vegan Strawberry Shortcake

9. Fondue (cheese and chocolate)

Fondue experienced a surge in popularity in the 1970s, with both cheese and chocolate versions being popular. A communal pot of melted cheese or chocolate, into which diners dipped bread, vegetables, or fruit, was a social and interactive dining experience.

While fondue still exists, its widespread popularity during the Boomer era, often involving elaborate fondue sets, would be a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era.

Try This Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Fondue

10. Tang

This powdered orange-flavored drink mix was a staple in many Boomer households, particularly after its association with the NASA space program.

While powdered drink mixes still exist, the intensely sweet and artificial flavor of Tang would likely be a shock to a generation accustomed to more natural and less processed beverages.

Try This Recipe: Vegan Orange Julius

11. Chicken à la King

This creamy dish of diced chicken, mushrooms, and peppers in a sherry-infused sauce, served over rice or toast, was a popular luncheon and dinner option.

While creamy chicken dishes are still enjoyed, the specific combination of ingredients and the sherry-based sauce give this dish a distinct retro feel.

Sign up now for Pure Plates Newsletter! Once a week: pure vegan & vegetarian recipes, zero spam.🥗

12. Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

Meatloaf, a mixture of ground meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, baked into a loaf and often topped with a ketchup glaze, was a classic comfort food.

While meatloaf remains a popular dish, the specific preparation with the sweet ketchup glaze, often quite thick, is a distinctly Boomer-era touch.

Try This Recipe: The Best Vegan Meatloaf Recipe

13. Ambrosia Salad

This sweet salad, typically consisting of mandarin oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, coconut, and sometimes other fruits, mixed with whipped cream or sour cream, was a potluck and holiday staple.

The combination of fruit, marshmallows, and dairy would likely be considered overly sweet by today’s standards.

Try This Recipe: Best Summer Fruit Salad

14. Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions

This classic casserole, made with canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and topped with crispy fried onions, was a Thanksgiving and holiday favorite.

While still enjoyed by some, the reliance on canned and processed ingredients makes this dish a stark contrast to the fresh, seasonal cooking favored by many in Gen Z.

Try This Recipe: Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole Recipe

15. Seven-Layer Salad

This layered salad, typically containing lettuce, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, peas, mayonnaise, and sometimes bacon or other ingredients, was a popular potluck dish.

The layered presentation and the combination of textures and flavors, often involving a generous amount of mayonnaise, create a dish that is both visually striking and distinctly retro.

Try This Recipe: Easy Vegan 7 Layer Bean Dip

These 15 dishes offer a glimpse into the culinary landscape of the Boomer generation, a time when convenience, canned goods, and certain flavor combinations were prevalent.

While some of these dishes may seem shocking or unfamiliar to Gen Z, they represent a significant part of food history and offer a fascinating look at how tastes and culinary trends evolve over time.

As a food writer, I find it essential to appreciate these culinary shifts, not just for their nostalgic value, but also for the light they shed on our ever-evolving relationship with food.

Sign up now for Pure Plates Newsletter! Once a week: pure vegan & vegetarian recipes, zero spam.🥗

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

15 ALDI Finds That Make Quick, Delicious Meals a Reality

Easy meals can be a life saver and if you’re shopping at ALDI, the money saving part of those meals is also pretty great. If you’re looking for quick and easy meals, you’ll want to be sure you grab these ALDI products. They’ll help you create some filling meals for an affordable price.

Read it here: 15 ALDI Finds That Make Quick, Delicious Meals a Reality

Are You Guilty of These 15 Supermarket Shopping Mistakes?

We’re all guilty of spending money on things we shouldn’t at the grocery store or making these supermarket mistakes. Avoiding these simple shopping mistakes can help you save more money on your grocery trips.

Read it here: Are You Guilty of These 15 Supermarket Shopping Mistakes?

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.

Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!